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Simple calculation. If you pack solar panels on the giant flat roofs of shopping malls (and maybe add them as shade covers on the giant parking places AND add some big storage batteries, you can offer FREE charging for all EVs, cover most of the power usage of the complete shopping mall and on good days even sell electricity to the grid. Same for airports. What's not to like? cc @isotopp
@isotopp Not even talking about sport stadiums. Especially in the US.Where the parking spaces are typically 3-10x the size of the stadium itself ;)
My point being: Don't see solar as a way to sell electricity, but as dog-fooding, as we software people say. Meaning to use things yourself first as a priority. I did the math. For most rural areas, with this approach, we can end up with effectively free electricity for the majority of the people, IF we accept a bit of change. Like switching off fridges during the night when we sleep. Fridges are quite good at surviving power outages fr up to 24 hours. Etc.
@jwildeboer@social.wildeboer.netSolar, geothermic, batteries and heat pumps, combined with LED lighting and a few other things can really make electricity effectively free in rural areas. NOT for industry. But free electricity for the people using natural resources sounds quite convincing to me. Neighbourhoods owning the grid and adding some shared battery/hydro energy storage capacity. Simple. Can be done. Is already being done.
Putting on my flamewar vest for the "yes, but" crowd ;) I stand by my idea. Free energy for the people can be done. Without fossile fuels. And sure, the electricity providers will not like this approach. But it's not a pipe dream.
These are traditional Italian style roof coverings. They are also (low efficiency) solar panels. They have been installed at Pompeii to keep the look but also generate enough electricity. This is the future, IMHO. And it is already here. https://www.dyaqua.it/invisiblesolar/_en/index.php
Yes, right now they are really expensive. But prices will come down. Radically. Soon. In max 5 years there will be no excuse to NOT use solar on any new roof construction. In 10 years it will also be competitive for replacements. We are getting there. Step by step. Patience is a superpower.
You want something more modern looking? German company Autarq has you covered (pun intended): https://www.autarq.com/en-de/solar-roof-tile/ They take high quality interlocking roof tiles, add solar in the same color and off you go.